The memorial day thread

I'm not a vet, and don't personally know anyone who died in military service. But I wanted to briefly step in here to say that those who gave their lives to protect mine have my eternal and undying respect and gratitude.

reading the posts below. I have a tear down my right cheek. Thinking of all the families that have lost a mother or father over in the Iraq theater.

I will reflect again later in bed, say a few prayers, and do my part to pay it forward.

What else can be said.

We all have our roles.

God bless and God speed.

I don't need any set date to think of someone. All i'm saying is I care and my thoughts are on them right now. Not worshiping anyone or anything. I'm not talking about pro war or anti war. Just thinking about them thats all.I'm laying all that aside. I like hearing about peoples service. Believe it or not our children are the last honorable thing the we have left. These are our American children. They deseve honor just for that and their in harms way. No one should rest till there home. Like I said I care.

I retired from the Air Force in 2006 after 22 years of service. I was a Russian linguist working for the Air Force's component of the National Security Agency. My access enabled me to know the true strategic capability of both Iraq and Iran. Since neither of these countries posed or poses any threat whatsoever to the United States, I vehemently opposed the invasion of Iraq. As you can imagine, my views were not well received. My last several years of service were difficult, and I retired as soon as I was eligible.

The current pro-military culture in America frightens me. I think people have heard so many stories (mostly untrue) about people spitting on soldiers returning from Vietnam that they have swung to the opposite extreme. The modern cry to "support the troops" is almost tantamount to military worship.

When I was still in uniform, it made me very uncomfortable when people came up to me and thanked me for my service. I never knew what to say. Usually I just muttered, "Uh, thanks" and got away from them as quickly as I could.
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Don't blame me! I voted for Ron Paul!

after watching this video I couldn't help myself. I haven't had a beer in about 7 years but I am going to have me one at noon today and spend a little time thinking about all those that have served and payed the price that includes their families who give so much. To all those of you who have served us all I say "thank you".

http://www.youtube.com/wa...

watch the video and your welcome to join me if you want to. "TO OUR BOYS AND THEIR SAFE RETURN HOME."

Memorial Day's purpose is specifically to honor war dead. It is not a celebration of veterans or those currently serving in the military.

Memorial Day began as an antiwar observance highlighting the lives wasted in the American Civil War. The antiwar roots of Memorial Day are all but forgotten. But that error is further compounded when Memorial Day becomes classed with Veterans Day and the Fourth of July as just another flag waving, pro-state holiday.

The purpose of Armed Forces Day is to honor currently serving military.

The purpose of Veterans' Day* is to honor military Veterans.

The purpose of Memorial Day is to honor those who died in service to their country.

*Veterans' Day was originally Armistice Day, another pro-peace holiday now swathed in statist colors. Mother's Day was also founded as an antiwar holiday as mothers know the true cost of war better than most.

Vietnam - Infantry/Artillery

He won a raffle to ride in a helicopter at a carnival when i was a boy. I said "you're kidding,, out of 1000 people YOU won it and you will give it to ME??"

He said "You don't understand - Go have fun"

I did.

Only recently have i realized why. He never had a "fun ride". They were forced to. Never talked about it. Ever. I had asked him once. He bluntly told me to never ask about Vietnam again. I did, however, overhear him with one of his buddies. They went into Laos (before the American publics knowledge), all 40 of them got surrounded and had to fight their way out. No cavalry, No air support. No declaration of war. His story was not unique, as most of you may already know.

Lie going in - Truth comes out

REALLY Support the Troops - Let them see their families ! Let them opt to OUR borders.

" I mean, what's going on here? "

Memorial Day was first created by Confederate widows to commemorate the Confederate and Union slain. It is NOT a day to honor all veterans, irrespective of their service.

I was enlisted in the USAF from 1976 to 1981, and was lucky enough not to be involved in hostilities. I am grateful to my commander in chief Jimmy Carter for keeing me out of combat. I was discharged and subsequently cashed in my GI Bill at Oregon State University.

I have been paid and am now due nothing.

Work for justice, work for peace.

Aspera ad Astra!
SSgt L G Knight (Duquesne)
Impolite and impatient pedantic putz.

On March 23rd, 2003 My unit (1st Bn 2nd Marines) led and attack into the city of An Nasiriyah in southern Iraq in order to seize two key bridges and secure a route north. By the end if that day 18 Marines had given their lives. I personaly knew 14 of them, all from Charlie Company. Not a day goes by that I dont think of them.

486 & 423

A day to remember all the young faces I will never see again. All were brave and true. Comrades who showed there steel in the last moments.

May God hold them dear and bless their families.

U.S. Navy active duty Seabee. Done 2 tours in Iraq,currently stationed in Sicily,Italy. My father is a retired Infantry Marine who served in Vietnam.

bumped. We must not foget we have a part of us over seas in harms way this is ahuge part of What the Ron Paul movement is all about. We sould honor them today for their sacrifice. If any of you are watching we love you and miss you and we want you home. keep your head down and take care of each other. we should also remember all those that have given their all for us to have freedom.

US Navy Active Duty Submarine Electrician.

His dad is my cousin, as kids we vacationed together every year. He sgined up 9-11-02, and died when his unarmored humvee was hit by an IED in Iraq. His father and I had drifted our separate ways as adults. Tristan was 6 months older than my own son, and I did not even know he was alive until they were burying what was left of him. I spoke to my sister (who lives in his hometown) and could hear the bagpipes for his funeral in the background.
Piling more corpses on top of Tristan's will add no honor to his death, he already died a hero. Nothing can bring honor to the traitorous swine that sent him to die for oil in a foreign land.

is a Korean war Vet. Served on the aircraft carrier the Midway. We went out to California when it was decommissioned last year. What a memorable experience. I will cherrish that event for the rest of my life. My respect for my father grows and grows.

His father was a WWII vet. He wrote a book a few decades ago about his experience and I read it for the first time last memorial day. For a man with a 5th grade education, I was shocked at how captivating the book was.

God Bless our Vets.